Welcome to Asian Studies


As the name of this course implies, this is a survey of several different elements regarding Pacific Asia. Thus, this course will focus on philosophy, religion, geography, as well as political and economic history. Along the way we could also be looking at contemporary issues in this region via current events presentations. Those could include culture, sports, entertainment and even technology. They just need to be of great significance to a people or a region.
Pacific Asia is a very dynamic and exciting part of the world. Certainly it is important due to its large population and its influence in the world today. Because China seems destined to become the largest economy in the world it would be wise to know much about this interesting civilization. Along with China, our course will also examine Japan and Korea. Issues in South-east Asia may be covered during parts of this course as well.
The primary objectives are these:
  • To gain an appreciation of the philosophical influences in East Asia, and the depth of how those influences impact on these societies and their people.
  • To understand the causes and consequences of significant historical events in this region.
  • To understand how its geography has acted as a blessing and as an obstacle to its sovereignty and development.

For a more detailed description of learner outcomes, see: Asian Studies Learner Outcomes
Course Syllabus for Semester II of 2011/12 School Year:

Links to Central Themes (actually each is found on the same page) for:
CHINA
JAPAN
KOREA
__Asian Country Histories__




Required Texts for Asian Studies & Links Page
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Pacific Century: In Search of Modern Pacific Asia by Mark Borthwick
To view the video segments for each chapter (so far there is only one chapter, Chapter Two, that has them), the password is bandung.
Parts of some of this book's chapters will be used for Units III - V.
The links to the videos for the text since they are very good.
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Korea Unmasked by Won-bok Rhi
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Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
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Japan and Korea Regional Studies Series
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China Regional Studies Series
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Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang